Milton Keynes City Council has unveiled their Smart City Action Plan aimed at tackling climate change, enhancing public health and delivering more cost-efficient public services.

The action plan is towards the city council’s previously announced Tech, Smart City, Digital and Creative Industries Strategy, which is designed to grow MK’s global reputation as a smart city and home of innovation.

MK City Council say that the plan is geared towards their goals from its smart city and innovation work, and a workplan over the next two years.

Part of the plan is to enable advanced technologies to operate in the city and encourage more innovative trials to address societal challenges, including sustainability, access to healthcare and the rising operational costs of public services.

Key initiatives include

• Enhanced partnerships – working closely alongside partners, including The Open University to drive marketing and engagement through the MK:Smart programme – a joint partnership to align smart city work
• Engagement – launching a comprehensive plan to involve residents through the new Experience Centre at centre:mk – a joint initiative between private sector partners and the city council, serving as a shop window for customers to experience and interact with robots and digital technologies
• Developing the Testbed – The city council’s plans to build a world leading ‘city as a testbed’

In addition, MK City Council will continue to support nationally strategic innovation projects, positioning MK as a hub where cutting-edge technologies can be tested and scaled to benefit modern urban environments.

Any organisation with an interest in trialling new technologies in an urban environment can contact the city council through Invest Milton Keynes on [email protected].

A council decision to approve the Smart City Action Plan is set for next week.

Last month, more than 1,000 people attended the city council’s Artificial Intelligence Festival which brought together tech experts and businesses to showcase cutting-edge technologies that the city will benefit from in the coming years. Plans are already underway for next year’s Milton Keynes Tech Week event.

Current live trials of technological solutions in the city include self-driving shuttles, urban drone deliveries, and advanced radio communications.

The City Council added that with one in three jobs in the city already are in the technology sector, they are determined to encourage further local tech investment, creating more skilled jobs for local people.

Cabinet Member for Economy, Sustainability and Innovation, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said, “We’re really passionate about tech and innovation in Milton Keynes, especially if it means we can tackle climate issues, improve access to public health, create local jobs and deliver better public services for our residents. Our Smart City Action Plan ensures we continue to break down barriers between emerging tech and everyday life to prioritise how our residents can benefit. If you have an idea for a smart city trial that can improve the lives of Milton Keynes residents, we want to hear from you.”